Wales to host Ashes Test Match in 2015

The Swalec Stadium in Cardiff has been awarded an Ashes Test match in 2015.

The England and Wales Cricket Board have announced the 2013 Ashes Tests will take place at Lord’s, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Chester-le-Street and The Oval.

The 2015 Ashes Tests will take place at Lord’s, Trent Bridge, Cardiff, Edgbaston and The Oval, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Gold packages were awarded to Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Edgbaston and The SWALEC Stadium. Nottinghamshire were the big winners after learned they, like England’s two London venues, will be used in each of the Ashes summers.

The silver packages were awarded to Kia Oval and to the Emirates Durham ICG, whilst the bronze package was awarded to the Rose Bowl. The only unsuccessful bid for major match packages in this latest tender process was submitted by Bristol.

“Today’s announcement by the England & Wales Cricket Board, is the culmination of months of hard work by a number of people who helped prepare and support our bid," said chief executive Alan Hamer.

"There are too many people to thank individually, but their support is greatly appreciated.

"In particular, I would like to thank the Welsh Government, whose proactive involvement throughout the past few months greatly strengthened our bid to secure another Ashes Test match for Wales. Being awarded another Ashes Test match is a huge boost to Welsh Cricket”.

In total, the SWALEC Stadium will now host a further eight internationals up to 2016, in addition to staging the 2012 Friends Life t20 Finals Day.

Glamorgan will have a one-day international against South Africa and T20 final days in 2012, a test against in New Zealand and a one-day international against Australia in 2013.

A one day-international against India in 2014, a T20 and the Ashes match in 2015 and two one-day international against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2016 completes the package.

Glamorgan Cricket’s Chairman, Barry O’Brien, added: “In the past decade, Wales has led the way in staging a number of successful high profile sporting events – these include the 2009 Ashes Test match, the 2010 Ryder Cup and countless FA Cup and Heineken Cup Finals.

“The 'Team Wales' approach to event planning and delivery is widely recognised and will once again be an important facet in our planning for the 2015 Ashes Test match."

But while Glamorgan can therefore be encouraged at remaining in the Ashes picture, there is no place in the Test calendar against Australia for either Yorkshire’s historic home at Headingley or Hampshire’s much-admired venue at the Rose Bowl.

Those two counties must content themselves with one-day internationals against Australia and Tests which host other tourists.

Bristol, meanwhile, has not been awarded any international match against Australia but will host New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka in ODIs.

The major match group is chaired by Lord Bill Morris, who explained the decision-making process. “Lord’s is the home of cricket and demonstrated to the major match group its unique iconic status and the exceptional benefits which staging major matches at Lord’s can bring to the game.

“The MMG also noted the MCC’s commitment to further develop the facilities at Lord’s as well as the significant support which MCC provides to university and community cricket in England and Wales and the game around the world.

“As a result of these exceptional characteristics, Lord’s has been awarded the ’platinum package’.”

Lord Morris added his personal congratulation to those who have bid successfully, and commiserations with others, as he said. “There will now be a period of certainty for these venues, although we appreciate that some venues may be disappointed not to have obtained a better package of matches.”

ECB chairman Giles Clarke added: “The quality of the submissions made by the venues was outstanding and reflects the importance to regions as well as venues in staging major matches.

“The awards for the next five-year period will enable counties to review and where necessary revise their business plans with the certainty of their match programme over a substantial period of time".